Mumbai: Municipal Corporation has taken strict action against major property tax defaulters and has started seizure and auction proceedings. Under this drive, the Municipal Corporation’s Tax Assessment and Collection Department has issued long-term notices to a total of 34 properties under the e-auction process. This includes vacant plots, commercial buildings, hotels and mixed-use properties. These 34 defaulters have a total arrears of Rs 548.69 crore, including penalties. Out of these, the direct auction process has been started for 11 properties whose long-term notice period has expired and bids have been invited from interested buyers. As soon as the auction process started, 5 property owners have paid their arrears of Rs 10.45 crore.

Meanwhile, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwini Joshi has clarified that strict action will continue against property tax defaulters.

Under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Mr. Bhushan Gagrani, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwini Joshi and Joint Commissioner (Tax Assessment and Collection) Vishwas Shankarwar, extensive and planned efforts are underway to effectively recover property tax from property owners under the jurisdiction of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. The Municipal Corporation administration has repeatedly appealed to the taxpayers to pay the arrears within the stipulated period and avoid penalty and legal action. However, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has now taken a tough stand against property owners who deliberately avoid paying taxes despite continuous notices and follow-ups. A special drive has been launched to take concrete and decisive action against such arrears of seizure and attachment. The process of auctioning properties has been started to strictly implement the laws regarding tax recovery. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation is issuing seizure notices under Section 203 to property tax defaulters and those who are unable to pay property tax despite having financial capacity. If the tax is not paid within the stipulated period, then as per the provisions of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, the concerned property will be seized and auctioned under Sections 203, 204, 205, 206. The notice has clarified that if the expected tax is not recovered from the concerned property, then the property will be auctioned as per the interim order of the Hon’ble High Court in Petition No. 2592/2013. In this context, an auction notice has been issued under Section 206 (2) of the newly amended Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888 on the properties of defaulters of all 26 administrative divisions of the Burhan Mumbai Municipal Corporation. These properties will be sold through public e-auction.

In C section, there is a mixed property in the name of M/s. Manuchar Maneksha Gandhi and V. H. D. Shah (outstanding amount of Rs. 2 crore 24 lakh 43 thousand 922), F South section, a plot in the name of Shri. Laman Raghunath Shetty (outstanding amount of Rs. 89 lakh 15 thousand 988), H West section, a commercial property in the name of Shri. Bhikkhabhai N. Upadhyay and Shri Ram Jay Bhatt (outstanding amount of Rs. 18 crore 88 lakh 13 thousand 376), P North section, a plot in the name of Shri. Commercial shed in the name of Bachu Bhai W.D. Shaw & Company (remaining amount Rs. 32.3 million 3 thousand 938), hotel in the name of Messrs. Ameer Park and Amusement Park in P-South Zone (remaining amount Rs. 34.5 million 55 million 65 thousand 499), oil mill and mill warehouse. 01 crore 41 lakh 91 thousand 080, plot in the name of M/s Vikailal Investment in R North Zone (outstanding amount Rs. 02 crore 41 lakh 79 thousand 329), hospital in the name of Sardar Syedna Tahir Saifuddin Sahib in D Zone (outstanding amount Rs. 21 crore 26 lakh), property of Sardar Syedna Tahir Saifuddin Sahib in D Section worth Rs. 03 lakh 26 thousand (outstanding amount Rs. 13 crore 47 lakh 86 thousand 245), vacant plot in the name of M/s Summer Associates in H West Section (outstanding amount Rs. 188 crore 46 lakh 247), commercial property in the name of M/s Rajahans Associates (outstanding amount Rs. 7 crore 90 lakh in section) Rs. 687), vacant plot in the name of Jeevan Shraddha Cooperative Housing Society in R South Section (outstanding amount Rs. 64 lakh 29 thousand 461 Rs) and M/s Summer Building Corporation in E-Section Private Limited (remaining amount Rs. 85 crore 38 lakh 78 thousand 185) etc.

A long notice of 21 days has been issued to all these defaulters to pay the tax. If the tax is not paid within this period, the auction process will be initiated as per the prescribed procedure.

Thane: The Thane City Traffic Police has announced temporary night traffic closures on stretches of Kalyan–Shil Road to facilitate the installation of cement girders for the upcoming Mumbai Metro Line 12 (Kalyan–Taloja) project. The restrictions will remain in force from March 6 to March 31, 2026, between 11:55 PM and 5:00 AM, officials said.

According to a traffic control notification issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Thane City, the girder installation work will be carried out on the stretch between Manpada Circle and Tata Naka, where metro construction activity is currently underway. Large cement girders will be installed using heavy gantry equipment, requiring temporary road closures and traffic diversions to ensure the safety of commuters and workers at the site.

During the notified period, vehicles travelling from Shilphata towards Kalyan via Kalyan–Shil Road will face phased entry closures at specific locations.

From March 6 to March 10, traffic coming from Shilphata towards Kalyan will be closed at Sonarpada near Pillar No. 180. Vehicles will be diverted left onto the service road and will continue towards their destination via DNS Chowk.

Between March 11 and March 18, the entry will be closed near Vikonaka at Pillar No. 105. Vehicles will take a left turn from Vikonaka Pillar No. 105 and proceed along the service road and from Pillar No. 67 Tata Naka, it will proceed to the desired destination.

From March 19 to March 25, vehicles heading towards Kalyan will be restricted at Manpada Chowk near Pillar No. 200 and can take a left turn and proceed along the service road and from Pillar No. 180 Sonarpada, it will proceed to the desired destination.

Finally, between March 26 and March 31, traffic will be closed at Sonarpada near Pillar No. 164, with vehicles diverted through the service road and allowed to merge back near DNS Chowk.

The traffic police have urged motorists travelling late at night to follow the diversions and use alternative routes wherever possible to avoid inconvenience.

Mumbai: The Crime Branch Unit 3 of the Mumbai Police conducted a late-night raid at an orchestra bar in South Mumbai and registered an FIR against the establishment’s manager for allegedly violating licence conditions.

According to officials, the action was taken at Topaz Bar and Restaurant located under the jurisdiction of DB Marg Police Station. An FIR  has been registered under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

Police said that at around 11:55 pm on March 6, a team from Crime Branch Unit 3 carried out a raid at the bar in the presence of panch witnesses. During the inspection, officers found that the bar manager had allegedly violated the terms and conditions of the licence issued by the government for operating the bar establishment.

Following the raid, the manager, identified as Vipin Kumar Santosh Singh (43), a resident of Rashmi Star City, Naigaon East, was booked. He was later handed over to the DB Marg Police Station for further legal action.

The raid was conducted by a team comprising Senior Police Inspector Yerekar, API Deshmukh, PSI Trupti Patil, Head Constable Palande, Constable Patil, and driver Dhayigade. Further investigation is underway.